Check Racism First: My Paradigm for Addressing Racial Disparities

In my book "No BS", I introduce a paradigm to view and address racial disparities, which I call "Check Racism First".

Understanding "Check Racism First"

The concept of "Check Racism First" is a worldview that asks us to approach any racial disparity with a critical question: “Would this problem exist if racism didn’t exist?” More often than not, the answer is no. This perspective spotlights the role of racism, whether interpersonal, implicit, or systemic, in perpetuating these disparities. It emphasizes the importance of identifying and calling out the nature of the racism that is impacting the problem as the first step towards finding solutions.

A Personal Encounter: Diversifying the Teacher Workforce

I was presenting on the necessity for diversifying the teacher workforce when a White male policymaker asked for "specifics" on how to achieve this. My response was straightforward:

"Ask the people in charge of hiring teachers in this district why they aren't hiring teachers of color."

This recommendation, though specific, did not resonate with the policymaker. However, a former superintendent at the meeting, a White woman, validated my point. She reported seeing instances where Black teacher applicants were not hired because their names "sounded too Black."

This interaction reinforces an important lesson: never unconditionally trust the word of any employer who attributes lack of diversity to a lack of qualified applicants. It underscores the importance of checking racism first when addressing racial disparities.

Conclusion

"Check Racism First" is more than just a phrase; it's a potent tool to better understand and combat racial disparities. It encourages us to critically examine the role of racism in perpetuating these issues, and to challenge the narratives that often obscure its impact. By asking ourselves if a problem would exist without racism, we can start to pinpoint the real obstacles that stand in the way of equality and justice. I firmly believe that this perspective is essential for effectively addressing racial disparities. So, let's all start to "Check Racism First."

Reference

No BS (Bad Stats): Black People Need People Who Believe in Black People Enough Not to Believe Every Bad Thing They Hear about Black People (Personal/Public Scholarship): Toldson, Ivory A.: 9789004397026: Amazon.com: Books